rhydewithdis has left 782 comments

rhydewithdis comments on Normal Living Costs United States and Colombia ....Tourism Not Included

Just to put this discussion into context, we are all talking about the purchasing power parity between a set of countries. As can be noted in this discussion, some things are cheaper in Colombia and other things are not. The Big Mac index is a common way of measuring purchasing power parity between two currencies. With an average price $3.41 for a Big Mac in the US, Colombia ends up more expensive at $3.53 for the same big mac based on the July 2008 index refresh when the COP was trading at around 1,956 to the USD (basically what it is at today). http://adamsmith.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/cfn628.jpg Another recently popular index was the Ikea Billy Bookshelf index but alas, Ikea does not operate in Colombia. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=a.K4T4ypP9ko Although somewhat older, there is also a cocaine index the Economist did in 2007 which obviously shows that cocaine is cheapest in Colombia $4 in Colombia vs $714 in New Zeland): http://www.joeydevilla.com/2007/06/28/the-economists-cocaine-index/ Bottom line is that Colombia is still an emerging market and many imported goods and services will command a premium in the short-run until consumption increases allowing these goods and services to realize greater economies of scale which will help the cost structure. The folks on this board seem to think that eating at McDonalds and Red Lobster and wearing name brand clothing is par for the course throughout the world when that is NOT the minimum standard of living in most other countries. Outside of the US, you would really need to live in the Western Europe, Hong Kong, etc to enjoy these modern day conveniences. In Latin America, outside a few select cities, you cannot expect the same phenomena.

rhydewithdis comments on Apartment searching in medellin

miami55, if your friends in Medallo are good friends (and decently well off), ask them now if their parents would be able to sign as your guarantors. Most apartment rental agencies will require that you have someone with credit, assets, a place of their own, etc. to vouch for you since you do not have any credit or assets in the country. You can offer to pay their parents a six months up front, or a large security deposit, etc. Otherwise, if you can get down to Medallo, there are TONS of places for rent all over town. What you can do is walk from building to building in an area that you like and start calling people listed on the For Rent signs and also talk to security guards. They can put you in touch the owners who might be more flexible than the real estate agencies. A few web sites to start with: http://www.arrendamientoslavilla.com/ http://www.metrocuadrado.com/servlet/co.com.m2.servlet.MostrarHome http://www.elcolombiano.com/clasificados/default.asp As far as visa is concerned, you will usually get a 90 day stamp upon entry which you can renew at the local DAS office. You are allowed 180 days maximum within the country per calendar year unless you have a visa.

rhydewithdis comments on REUTERS: Colombia's Medellin Hit By New Wave Of Drug Violence

This article is no frontage (i.e. front page acreage) on reuters.com. Numbers don't lie - and a 100% increase in murders year over year is indeed cause for concern.

rhydewithdis comments on REUTERS: Colombia's Medellin Hit By New Wave Of Drug Violence

Byron_Kostner, how about giving some credit to the actual source? http://www.reuters.com/article/americasCrisis/idUSN20434908 And remember, this applies to all boards (not just PBH); posting a excerpt from an article is fine, posting the entire article is NOT. http://poorbuthappy.com/about/rules/ Content that's yours. Only post content that is yours, don't post copyrighted content. Examples: * Copying the entire text of a news article is not ok.

rhydewithdis comments on Calling all Paisas in New York

Maybe you can contact http://www.maketheroadny.org/ They have a offices in Woodside and Jackson Heights.

rhydewithdis comments on How can I get a visa for the USA?

Not that I would advise it, but your parents make enough to pay for you to sneak back to the USA. Should cost about $4-5k.

rhydewithdis comments on CNN: Luxuries Dazzle Gangsters' Girls

Byron you wrote this? or just too late to post the source and want to get the credit? =P

rhydewithdis comments on Note to Gringos Marring barrio girls

From my previous post which applies here too: http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/colombian-women-are-friendly--what-bullshit/ The first problem is too many guys mistake the friendliness as a sign of interest. Just like when you are in the workplace and there is a smoking coworker who is friendly to you, you should not assume that she likes you. Most guys are so used to dealing with uptight women (or have an assumption that most women are uptight, b/c usually most are not), they mistake any sign of friendliness for something more. Then when you pursue them and they say that they are not interested and you keep trying, they get seriously uptight and act like that with all guys to avoid those situations. STOP acting desperate and ruining it not only for you but for everyone else too! "Edwinjcb says on Oct 6, 2009, 18:12: flag Failed to reply to numerous e-mails after I told her she gave me a phony phone number." LOSER "Edwinjcb says on Oct 6, 2009, 18:12: flag I even wrote her, "hey, where's the e-mail you claim to have sent me? " No response." LOSER Edwinjcb, you trying and getting rejected is not what makes you a loser. Your desperate attempts to change a girls mind who OBVIOUSLY is not interested in you is what makes you a loser. I see too many guys come down to Colombia, Brasil, Argentina, etc. that try to talk to girls they would never in a million years try to talk to back home wherever they are from. These are the same guys that are obviously looking out of place at a Karma or B-Lounge in Medellin, knowing damn well they would never go to something like that back home. Get in where you fit in. It baffles how some guys come down and all of a sudden think they are daddy mack disco dancer hitting the clubs every night--yet back home their weekly highlight is the local bowling league. If you don't know the lay of the land, please stop trying to go for girls you would never try to go for at home. Yes you can and probably will score a hotter chick in these countries but that is usually just because of your economic leverage over most of the girls there. If you are even half way decent you will have more than enough women throwing themselves at you. That's what gives me a kick down there. Being the hunted instead of always hunting. Who knows what their intentions are, and personally I don't care because I wasn't looking to get married anyway. The real challenge is getting a hot girl that is also well-off, educated AND has a visa. ONLY then can you reasonably say there are no socioeconomic disparity factors at play. Lastly whatever you do, DO NOT wife up a poor barrio girl and try to bring her back to the States or Europe, etc. You WILL end up another PBH gringo divorce stat who got tooken for a ride. They said I couldn't play football I was too small / They say I couldn't play basketball I wasn't tall / They say I couldn't play baseball at all / And now everyday of my life I ball.

rhydewithdis comments on Power vacuum fuels vicious drug war

This sucks for the regular people of Medallo who put up with this hell for decades and finally were able to experience some change over the last 7-8 years. Alas, there is a perfect storm brewing that will hurt many nations with a large drug trade. Namely, a crackdown on the big bosses that will create these power vacuums, large contingents of young men in this trade who now are forced to fend for themselves and a global recession that will further perpetuate crime and violence since most of these governments lack strong social support benefits.

rhydewithdis comments on Kindle now wireless in Colombia

tannedincali, remember you can download the kindle app for your iPhone.

rhydewithdis comments on Kindle now wireless in Colombia

Based on this compilation, it looks like 3G access to the Amazon store will be available in Colombia: http://blogkindle.com/2009/10/international-release-of-kindle-2/ Not sure who AT&T has a roaming agreement with but it is probably Comcel.

rhydewithdis comments on Kindle now wireless in Colombia

From the NYT: "The new Kindle is physically identical to Amazon’s current Kindle, with its slender profile, six-inch black-and-gray screen and angular keyboard. The main difference: it will use the wireless networks of AT&T and its international roaming partners, instead of Amazon’s existing wireless partner for the Kindle, Sprint. Sprint’s network is incompatible with most mobile networks outside of North America." http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/07/technology/companies/07amazon.html

rhydewithdis comments on Kindle now wireless in Colombia

wifi or 3G via a mobile company?

rhydewithdis comments on Job hunting in Colombia....hard work!!!

roobix909, what type of COP do you think they will throw at you? and of course, good luck!

rhydewithdis comments on Colombian women are friendly? What bullshit!

The first problem is too many guys mistake the friendliness as a sign of interest. Just like when you are in the workplace and there is a smoking coworker who is friendly to you, you should not assume that she likes you. Most guys are so used to dealing with uptight women (or have an assumption that most women are uptight, b/c usually most are not), they mistake any sign of friendliness for something more. Then when you pursue them and they say that they are not interested and you keep trying, they get seriously uptight and act like that with all guys to avoid those situations. STOP acting desperate and ruining it not only for you but for everyone else too! "Edwinjcb says on Oct 6, 2009, 18:12: flag Failed to reply to numerous e-mails after I told her she gave me a phony phone number." LOSER "Edwinjcb says on Oct 6, 2009, 18:12: flag I even wrote her, "hey, where's the e-mail you claim to have sent me? " No response." LOSER Edwinjcb, you trying and getting rejected is not what makes you a loser. Your desperate attempts to change a girls mind who OBVIOUSLY is not interested in you is what makes you a loser. I see too many guys come down to Colombia, Brasil, Argentina, etc. that try to talk to girls they would never in a million years try to talk to back home wherever they are from. These are the same guys that are obviously looking out of place at a Karma or B-Lounge in Medellin, knowing damn well they would never go to something like that back home. Get in where you fit in. It baffles how some guys come down and all of a sudden think they are daddy mack disco dancer hitting the clubs every night--yet back home their weekly highlight is the local bowling league. If you don't know the lay of the land, please stop trying to go for girls you would never try to go for at home. Yes you can and probably will score a hotter chick in these countries but that is usually just because of your economic leverage over most of the girls there. If you are even half way decent you will have more than enough women throwing themselves at you. That's what gives me a kick down there. Being the hunted instead of always hunting. Who knows what their intentions are, and personally I don't care because I wasn't looking to get married anyway. The real challenge is getting a hot girl that is also well-off, educated AND has a visa. ONLY then can you reasonably say there are no socioeconomic disparity factors at play. Lastly whatever you do, DO NOT wife up a poor barrio girl and try to bring her back to the States or Europe, etc. You WILL end up another PBH gringo divorce stat who got tooken for a ride.

rhydewithdis comments on Colombian women are friendly? What bullshit!

Edwinjcb the friendliness and their desire to not offend you to your face is a culture thing. Get over it and learn to deal with it. Instead work on your own game and increasing your odds. No one is ever going to bat 100% when it comes to girls anywhere in the world. Stop getting booty hurt and figure out how to improve your own G.

rhydewithdis comments on Luxury 4 bedroom apartment en Cali (Cristales) with panoramic views over the city

very nice. a traqueto could certainly seem himself here =)

rhydewithdis comments on German Shepard breeders

David are you getting them from here? http://www.mrazovack9.com/us/pricing.php?lg=us

rhydewithdis comments on Calle ..... (De Grieff)....Good Grief

Chris kudos to you, but I think this thread should be deleted. There are too many keywords in this post that could aide and abet those who didn't know about this to pick up and head out there further perpetuating these horrible acts.

rhydewithdis comments on “Discover Colombia Through Its Heart.” - NYC Exhibition Sept 22-28

I think I'll stop by tmrw to check this out!

rhydewithdis comments on

none in mde as far as I know but why don't you stop into the one you saw in las palmas and let us know? i don't think there are any brasilian restaurants in mde -- i've been trying to convince my buddy to open one there but he has his hands full with two in nyc and two in FL.

rhydewithdis comments on Getting a cell phone in Medellin

just go to centro -- you will find many, many cell phone stores. not only can you buy the phones there but the pre-paid SIM card as well. From what I remember, a pre-paid SIM card without any credit ran around 8mil. No ID required, no friend needed to help you sign up, etc. The price of the phone just depends on what you like and what you can afford.

rhydewithdis comments on

Doug, you bring awesome points. I think what so many of these folks in blind pursuit for marriage forget and fail to realize is that indeed most of these women will not have an easy time understanding where you are truly coming from and how things will be when you bring them here unless you the girl is well traveled, educated, cosmopolitan, etc. One has to remember the stories that a lower strata girl hears regularly from her amigas. Such and such girl met a gringo, he got her an apartment, spending money, nice dinners, she got a visa, made it to EEUU and the next thing you know, it is divorce city. That's why I am so adamant in telling everyone that if you are going to go to a third world country and do NOT plan on living there, you need to marry a girl that doesn't give squat about your visa or money or car because she has her own. THEN and usually ONLY then will you have found a girl that likes you for YOU.

rhydewithdis comments on

machin1967, your statement concerning women from Colombia not having visas is absolutely wrong. Do you really think that Avianca, American Airlines, Spirit Air, Bogota, ec. would have daily (some direct) flights to/from multiple cities in the United States to various cities in Colombia if there wasn't a significant population to support these business ventures? A percentage of that population on these flights includes people living in Colombian who visit the United States to conduct business, vacation, visit family/friends, etc. elmodefoque says it the best and I will paraphrase -- 'that hot girl you are dating in Colombia -- try picking up that same quality Colombian mami at the Colombian day festival in Flushing Meadows park in Queens.' I've met MANY people, both men and women in Colombia with Visas to visit the United States. Why would they move to the US to live and work like a dog when they have their own businesses, family, friends, a beautiful country/city, etc. in which to live? The reason YOU aren't meeting and dating any women with visas is probably because you can't or haven't gotten into that social circle yet. I have to call BS on one thing you said -- namely that you dated estrato 6 girls. Nearly every estrato 6 girl I have ever met either has, or can easily get a Visa to visit the US, Europe, etc. and most of them generally travel quite often for vacation, schools, etc. I am almost certain that most of the girls you date, will date, etc. do not work very good jobs, probably have not ever left Colombia (save for Costa Rica, Panama, etc.) and are absolutely NOT on equivalent to your socioeconomic background. The smart guys that are playboys back home and choose to go someplace like Colombia, Argentina, Brasil, etc. do so to live like KINGS (which is why I consider them smart). Like "yo he was the man when he was in NYC/Miami/etc, bottle poppin', women for days, but out in Medellin, wow words can't even describe..."

rhydewithdis comments on

machin1967, sry just catching up with your thread. The question you or any other gringo from the US/Canada/UK/Europe, etc. has to ask themselves when it comes to what type of women they will attract and how they will be perceived is this: "When I was back home, did I consistently get attractive, intelligent women who liked me for me and wanted to pursue a long term relationship with me? was I loser with no women ever? or was I somewhere in between?" How you answer that question should give you an inkling of what to expect anywhere else in the world. If you dated 5 and 6's back home, don't expect a 8 or 9 here unless she is a girl of less than ideal repute or with a lot of baggage. The fact that many cities in Colombia have an overabundance of eligible women of course increases your chances and will probably even give you the confidence to pursue better looking women -- BUT, the dynamics of landing an attractive, confident women that is also intelligent, making good money (or well to do) are pretty much the same everywhere in the world. Last but not least -- if you are going there with the hopes of finding a future spouse, do everyone a favor and do not even consider a girl that does not already have a visa (or cannot get one on her own). If you do, you will ALWAYS have to wonder if that beautiful barrio girl is with you because you are a hansum man she really likes or just her ticket out of the ghetto. Get yourself a doctor, dentist, lawyer or even a princess from a upper class family and that previous question goes out of the window and you get to start your relationship on even ground. At the end of the day, it is somewhat pathetic when richer men go to poorer countries to exploit the economic differences.

rhydewithdis comments on medellin classifieds?

I usually find a lot on street lamps and also while walking around Centro you will find a lot of guys handing out fliers for all types of stuff.

rhydewithdis comments on Looking for a room in Laureles

The Metro doesn't really come into Laureles. That being said, there are tons of buses and aside from that minor inconvenience, it is worth living there. La 33 is nice as is La 70 but you won't find too many places with nice views since (depending on where you are) you will be on a flatter part of the city. Sorry, but I don't have any leads -- a good bet would be to go there and walk around, talk to some RE folks, etc.

rhydewithdis comments on Recommended restaurants/bars/clubs in Medellin?

knoxseagle, what part of Afghanistan are you from?

rhydewithdis comments on G1 Cel Unlock. to save any of you time and trouble if you have this phone.

OP, after you have any phone with Tmobile for more than three months, they will send you the unlock code for free if you call them ask. Did you try that?

rhydewithdis comments on Recommended restaurants/bars/clubs in Medellin?

The local food in Medallo (and Bogota for that matter) sucks -- relatively speaking the food when compared to other international cuisines (Mexican, Brasilian, Indian, Thai, even Caribbean) is bland, uninspiring, devoid of spices/taste, etc. There is a new (and authentic) Thai restaurant in Parque Lleras, I suggest you make that your new home. In the Center, you will find mostly working class restaurants with the typical Menu Ejecutivo dishes. Either that or the Fried/Rotisserie Chicken joints every other block. Lots of clubs right up the hill from you in Las Palmas on via Las Palmas. Also check out Barrio Colombia right outside of Poblado--a bunch of clubs there, I like one called Karma. Hit up Carnaval or Wild (my preference) for good after-hours fun. You are living in Poblado which is the most expensive area of the city. Either get out of there to do our grocery shopping (it will invariably be cheaper, especially if shop in the open markets) or deal with it. You hit the nail on the head regarding the price of wine. Do as the locals do and learn to enjoy the taste of aguardiente.

rhydewithdis comments on Bill´s Pizza, Av. Nutibara in Medellin - review

I understand that we have to compare the pizza size to make an informed analysis, but we already know that labour costs are 1/4th what they are here NYC and commercial property rents are probably 1/5th-1/8th of what they are here in NYC. That being said, when the pizzeria down the block can sell me a plain cheese for $14 and Dominos can sell me 3 mediums for $17, pizza in Colombia shouldn't cost more.

rhydewithdis comments on Bill´s Pizza, Av. Nutibara in Medellin - review

NJ is indeed close enough. Hey Chris, have you figured out the dynamics of the pizza market in Colombia yet? I'm still at a loss as to why my local Domino's can always offer 3 Medium 1-Topping Pizzas for $5.55 each, but one large with a couple of toppings in Medellin runs close to 35mil.

rhydewithdis comments on Bill´s Pizza, Av. Nutibara in Medellin - review

Thanks for the review Chris. Is Bill a New Yorker as well?

rhydewithdis comments on How are the Casinos In Medellin?

No craps in Medallo, but I recall seeing craps in Bogota, but I could be wrong.

rhydewithdis comments on How are the Casinos In Medellin?

I've been to every casino in Medallo except the new one in Premium Plaza that pedro mentions. Havana Casino is at Oviedo Mall in Poblado. Small -- a handful of blackjack tables, one poker table with low-stakes tournaments that start up around 4-5p daily (no idea if/when they have cash games) one roulette table. Caribe Casino is in Centro. Two floors, downstairs machines and upstairs table games and some machines. Much bigger than Havana, much more interesting because you get a lot of characters since it is in a shadier area. I've won 2millon one time and 3million another time and didn't get jacked for my winnings, but every eye was on me. One poker table here and it is sporadic when they do/don't play. San Diego Casino has the prettiest dealers. Good poker action here - again, tournaments - no idea when they play cash games. There are two others in Poblado - the names escape me at the moment but both are within walking distance of Havana Casino, both are much newer and higher stakes. Bottom line is the gaming here is good and the stakes are small enough to enjoy without blowing a big bankroll (2.5k or 5k minimum BJ bets at most places).

rhydewithdis comments on can a felon come to colombia?

I've met quite a few taxi drivers in BOG and MDE who used to live in the USA (usually Queens, NYC), did felony bids on drugs charges and were deported back to Colombia afterward.

rhydewithdis comments on Does anyone recommend any HOTELS to stay at in Medellin?

AFEE13, I've stayed at the Sheraton Four Points a few times -- great location since it is connected to Ovideo Mall. Staff is great and the free breakfast free wifi are both big pluses.

rhydewithdis comments on nightclub owner murdered in Medellin

Looks like even the big boys in Colombia have become complacent. You would never catch someone of this guys stature from Mexico or Brazil traveling around without a couple of armed security guards, a bullet proof car, etc.

rhydewithdis comments on nightclub owner murdered in Medellin

Is this the same guy that owned well known den of ill repute?

rhydewithdis comments on

I bet you did "meat" her mom and sister.

rhydewithdis comments on friend got drugged and robbed in Medellin

AG, that is tough breaks. At least it was only a mil pesos -- that's barely even couch change (and if you say it was a mil USD, GBP, Euro, AUD, or CAD then your friend is a few cans short of a six pack for carrying around that much in his wallet). Losing the cell phone sucks though -- I hope it was a burner. Any security cameras in the building? How's the friend feeling now? Go to the hospital and get a toxicology test done to see what he was drugged with.

rhydewithdis comments on Best Neighborhood in Medellin: Great art and local culture, minus douchebags

Manrique is cool.

rhydewithdis comments on Anyone know Walter Mora, from Cali? Unfortunate news is that he was recently killed in Cali

Thanks CG -- demote away!

rhydewithdis comments on Anyone know Walter Mora, from Cali? Unfortunate news is that he was recently killed in Cali

CG, I did search for a thread on this but did not come up with anything. Was it deleted/demoted? Much appreciated if you can point me to it and demote this one.

rhydewithdis comments on Anyone know Walter Mora, from Cali? Unfortunate news is that he was recently killed in Cali

Bump...

rhydewithdis comments on Spirit Air - LGA/MDE - $250 a/i

ONE bag is all I take. Seriously, I can't remember the last time I needed to speak with an airline's customer service. I guess I'm just low-maintenance. Pack a sandwich or pick up some McD's before you board and you're good to go.

rhydewithdis comments on Spirit Air - LGA/MDE - $250 a/i

bump

rhydewithdis comments on

bufalo, is this the kid you saw die at rockaway? http://feeds.gothamistllc.com/click.phdo?i=5d47457568c06159a105970a187e647f

rhydewithdis comments on

they were jumping solo I take it and not tandem?

rhydewithdis comments on Where can I download Latin mp3's??

iTunes